The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-11-25

and any difficulty in passing the trains we
were TO meet, our calculations were al
most dead certainties. With two ex-
perienced engineers, and caution in run
ming, accidents were not likely to occurs;
and Andrews trusted TO his own marvel
Gus address (and not vainly, as the result
showed) to disarm suspicion from any
trains met. On Friday, so far rs human
vision can now penetrate, these calculations
would have worked out with the precision
of u machine, and all the results Indicated
have followed. To-day there were new
elements which were to task our powers
to the utmost, but of these we rs yet
knew nothing
All careful and prudent preparations
were now made for II long run. A red
flag placed on the last car showed that
another train was behind, and served as
II kind of silent excuse for being on the
time of the morning mail. The engine
was also carefully inspected by knight,
whose mechanical knowledge was most
useful and found to be in excellent work
ing condition. 1t was thoroughly oiled.
Then we moved leisurcly onward until
we came near Moons station, where some
workmen. were engaged on the track, and
the opportunity OF getting necessary tools
was too good to be lost Brown sprang
down and asked q man for Il wedge pointed
iron bar with which he was prying. The
man gave it at once and Brown stepped
back with his booty, but little disap-
pointed, for one of the bent, clawfooted
bars for pulling out spikes would have
been worth much more, but they had
none. The bar taken was the only one of
their tools that seemed likely to be of
value, or more would have been borrowed
by force, if not otherwise.
AS we went on Andrews cautioned his
engineers not to run too fast, which they
inclined to do; all of us would have
relished more speed in this first part of
the journey. But running on all south
ern roads in war times was slow; our
train WAS not scheduled ut over sixteen
miles an hour. The road itself was eX-
ceedingly crooked, with abundance of
short curves, and, having but light iron
rails, was untitled for high speed. We
were anxious 10 get past the local freight
that we might test the roads capabilities.
Those on the engine were very much
amused, rs we ran by station after sta
ton, to see the passengers come up with
their. sachels IN their hands, and then
shrink back in dismay as we sped past
without n sign Of hating. But when by
VIC would stop and cut the telegraph wire,
so that no cuspiciCns or inquiries could
be sent ahead.
Thus we passed through Ackworth and
AilatCona, and then stopping again TO cut
the wire, also endeavorcd to lift rail.
While we were sure that no train from
Big Shanty could follow us, we wished
also to make it difficult Tor one from At
lanta, if any should be sent from there, to
run rapidly; and what was of equal i'm
portance, we did not wish the local freight
to proceed southwark after we met it, to
be turned back by any pursrcr9 y lifted
rail Is almost sure to throw an unsuspect-
ing train from the track; and VIC put such
an obstruction before each train that we
met on this journey. Yet the process of
taking Up q rail, though we made much
of it, YVES far from easy with the impcr-
feet tools we possessed A single tool-a
bar constructed expressly for drawing out
spikes-would have enabled us to battle all
pursuit. But this we did not have, and
moro than five minutes were consumed
for each rail taken UP, in battering out
some spikes with cur iron bar and after
ward prying the remainder loose with
handspikeS and with the rail itself. This
delay was Of 10 great importance now,
for we had II superiority of time; bat in
the quick and terrible struggle further up
the road when seconds were decisive, it
was far otherwise. The rails when lifted
were carried away with us, and the break
thus left was for Il time barrier TO q
train not supplied with track laying tools)
as absolute rs burnt bridge. The feel
ing of security after such obstruction was
very delightful and not unwarranted. In
no case did pursuing train pass place
where we had torn up n rail in time to do
us any damage.
There was an eXultant sense Of superb
GRITTY while running along in the midst Of
our enemies in this manner, such as Il
man in a balloon might feel while drift
ing over Hostile camps, or o. er the raging
waves Of the OCEAN. As long IS I'll is well
with his balloon the man need not care
what takes place in the world below; and
as long us our engine retained its power
and the track was clear before US, we
were in u similar state OF security. Dut